Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, yesterday, swore in three High Court Judges which his predecessor Godwin Obaseki refused to swear in out of eight Judges cleared by the National Judicial Council (NJC) into the State Judiciary.

The former governor, instead, swore in five Judges in May this year, despite several appeals to him from well-meaning individuals and organisations to swear in all cleared eight Judges.

The Governor who supervised the swearing-in of the three Judges into the Bench of Edo State High Court at the Festival Hall in Government House recalled that in his inaugural speech, he had promised to look into the case and today presents the privilege to right the wrong.

He further recalled that eleven months after the recommendation of the National Judicial Council (NJC) only five of those recommended were sworn in as judges by the immediate past administration, leaving out three, even when they had all been cleared and recommended by the same NJC.

Governor Okpebholo, therefore, said no one should be discriminated against, marginalized or hated for personal reasons, or on account of not having a godfather, reminding the three Judges that as judges of the state High Court, they are expected to uphold high standards of conduct, ensure fair dispute resolution, uphold rights of citizens, and bring culprits to justice.

“During my swearing-in ceremony as Governor of Edo State on the 12th of November 2024, I acknowledged the critical role of the judiciary under the doctrine of Separation of Powers. Today we are gathered here to strengthen that role for the Judiciary.

“The National Judicial Council in June 2023 had recommended eight persons for appointment as Judges of the Edo State High Court.

“Eleven months after that recommendation, only five of them were sworn in by the immediate-past administration, leaving out three, even when they had all been cleared and recommended by the same NJC.

“In my inaugural speech, I made a promise to look into the case. Today we have the privilege to right the wrong. The three judges will now have the opportunity to sit with their colleagues at the bench of the Edo State High Court, to discharge their duties as beacons of hope.

“For me, no one should be discriminated, marginalized nor hated for personal reasons, or on account of not having a godfather.

“As Judges of the State High Court, we expect you to uphold the high standard of conduct, ensure fair dispute resolution, uphold rights of citizens, and bring culprits to justice”, the governor charged the new Judges.

The three Judges sworn in are Ojo Maureen Osa, Okundamiya Godwin Jeff and Edoghogho Eboigbe.

Responding on behalf of the trio, Ojo Maureen Osa thanked the governor for the opportunity given to them to serve as Judges in Edo State.

She appreciated the Governor for making their swearing-in a reality, just three weeks into office, and prayed that his tenure would be marked with success and the advancement of justice for all.

“We assure you that we will dispense justice without fear or favour,” she stated.

THE SUN NIGERIA